Smalling intent on securing double
Failing to proceed past the group stage of the 2011-12 Champions League undoubtedly had an adverse effect on morale amongst the Manchester United squad, however Chris Smalling appears completely focused on making it a successful season.
The defender has defended the importance of winning the Europa League, which some have deemed an unimportant distraction for the bigger teams.
Speaking to Inside United, Smalling stated: “You only need to look at the teams who are still in the Europa League to realise it’s a competition worth winning.”
He added: “Obviously we’d still like to be in the Champions League but we’re looking at the Europa League as a second chance. We’re going to go out there and show Europe we can still perform and we can still win trophies.”
Smalling was a part of the 2010-11 Premier League winning United side in his debut season with the English giants and appears keen on clinching silverware again.
Regarding his luck at being able to win the league in his first season under Sir Alex Ferguson, Smalling noted: “I was lucky to win the league in my first season and, at the risk of sounding greedy, I want to win the league every year,”
“That’s how it should be at Manchester United. In fact, I’d be disappointed if we didn’t win at least one or two trophies every season,” he said.
